That's the motto for Oak Ridge and the overwhelming feeling in the program after back-to-back solid but unspectacular 7-4 campaigns that saw the team squeak into the playoffs and exit in the first round.

"The expectations are definitely high this year," said coach Dereck Rush, who is entering his fourth season. "The last two years we've been 7-4 and making it to the first round of the playoffs, so in our kids' minds, and in our coaches and community, it's time to take the program to the next level.

"Hopefully we can do better than going 7-4, hopefully we can do better than making just the first round of the playoffs, so that's our mindset."

Rush said they feel good about their chances of improving going into the season.

He also realizes every football team feels that way at this point. Now it's about putting in the hard work to get there.

Details, Rush said, are the key. A lot of teams have talent, especially in District 16-6A, so the players who remember the fundamentals go further. But there are other areas to improve in, too.

"We've got to do a better job of stopping the run," Rush said. "That's one thing we emphasized in spring and we're emphasizing right now, during fall camp, as far as being able to line up, be sound and stop the run. (And) offensively, we've got to be more consistent. We led the district last year in rushing, so we've got to be able to throw the ball a little more."

The War Eagles made a few scheme changes on defense to try to stop the run.

"With those front seven guys, we've got to do a better job of being physical and more committed to stopping the run," Rush said.

Franklin, at 6-1, 200 pounds, is a promising big-bodied athlete up from JV.

"He's going to be a speed rusher off the edge," Rush said.

"He is a very athletic kid who's a gym rat. He stays in the weight room, trying to get bigger, and his motor never stops. He's still got a lot to learn but he's a guy who shows effort every play."

Stuard was an all-district pick as a nickel back last season, and Kuhlenschmidt stepped up as the Mike backer this spring.

"He's one of those guys who have a nose for the football," Rush said. "He's not going to be out of position. The majority of the time he's going to be in position to make a tackle. And he's one of those downhill linebackers who's going to fill the hole and understands the concepts of what we're trying to do."

"The No. 1 thing with Braden is to keep him healthy," Rush said. "The last couple of years he went down with an injury, concussions and things of that nature, so we've got to make sure we keep him upright and healthy. If we can do that and get his confidence up, he can do great things. He worked hard this summer and also spring as far as being more consistent throwing the football, and he's doing that right now."

Oak Ridge also returns wide receivers Lamar Handy and Kyle Townsend, Letney's top targets, and welcomes 5-8 Ty Adams, who Rush said has big-time potential as a Z-receiver, off the junior varsity.

"We were able to put the pads on, on Friday (of last week), and make sure the kids are in shape," Rush said. "But the majority of our kids showed up throughout the summer, so they're already in shape right now and we can focus on a lot more detail stuff as far as football is concerned."

"We're looking for our kids to show effort and compete, and do the detail things right," Rush said. "I cannot overemphasize that as far as being the thing that's hopefully going to take us to the next level."